As the EU emerges from the economic crisis, preventing rising unemployment from becoming entrenched is a priority. In addition, the EU is facing an ageing workforce and increased international competition. Structural reforms are therefore needed to improve labour market flexibility, secure the availability of a skilled workforce – including through economic migration - and put in place modern social policies. The aim must be to have more people in work, working more productively. Flexicurity should be at the heart of the European employment strategy and the leading principle in the development of social policy. Employment, social and immigration policies must be adapted to the diversity of situations in the Member States.

BUSINESSEUROPE is actively engaged in the European social dialogue in order to find solutions reconciling economic and social needs of labour market players, and to devise concrete arrangements that benefit both companies and employees.

As a result of the economic crisis, unemployment is expected to reach 10% for the EU-27 by the end of 2010. In order to improve employment prospects and increase the adaptability of workers, Member States must reform their labour markets based on the principles of flexicurity. Read more

BUSINESSEUROPE considers tackling demographic change one of the five key challenges facing European economies and societies. Demographic change means that the EU population is getting older and living for longer. In contrast, the number of working age people is shrinking. As a result, there will be less people in work to pay the contributions needed to provide income for a larger number of people, who will spend longer in retirement. Unless urgent measures are taken, this change will have a negative impact on pension provision and public finances. Read more

The economic crisis has shown that Member States have social systems that protect workers in difficult times. However, in order to safeguard the core of those systems, they need to be modernised. Read more

Improving people’s skills is crucial to address the many challenges Europe is facing. Greater relevance of education and training systems to labour market needs is needed. Education institutions should also open up more to partnerships with companies. Read more

Social partners are best placed to find solutions and to devise concrete arrangements reconciling economic and social needs of labour market players. Both at European and national level, priority should be given to actions by the social partners in their fields of competence. Read more